Computer-Aided Design of Chiral Auxiliaries and Catalysts

Diastereo- and enantioselective chemical reactions are essential components for the efficient synthesis of complex chiral targets. We have developed several computational tools to assist researchers in designing and optimizing chiral catalysts including database searching and functionality mapping. In addition, we have developed semi-empirical quantum mechanical quantitative structure selectivity (QSSR) relationships for accurate and precise enantiomeric excess predictions of chiral catalysts. In one example, we correlated the structures of various beta-amino alcohol catalysts to their enantioselectivities in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. With our method the selectivities of new catalysts were also calculated. Subsequent chemical synthesis and analysis of the new catalysts indicated that the model was very useful and easily distinguished catalysts of low, moderate, and high selectivity.